Yet another trap is habit. Our habits overpower our willpower and our resolutions slide down the drain. Even as we determine to wake up early and go for a run, we are consciously driven to our habits. Most of us are in an autopilot mode. It is said that 90 percent of our good intentions fail because of our habits. Studies have shown that it takes exactly 21 days to develop a habit and 90 days to incorporate a lifestyle. That isn’t much if it’s going to change your life.
So, how do we work towards realising these resolutions?
By cutting our resolutions down into smaller bits. A gigantic change can’t be brought in a day; making specific and actionable resolutions. Contextualising the resolutions gives them a concrete shape. For instance, drinking five litres of water in a day needs to be more specific. I will drink 2.5 litres of water at work and another 2.5 litres at home is more like it. Most importantly, it is crucial to not be a slave to force of habit.
Soulveda picked a few simple things we could do to help bring change, both subtle and obvious, and open doors to a more gratifying life.
Gratitude: This year, be grateful to things and people in your life. Thank people around you who have contributed to your life.
Read: Read anything and everything. It will help you in ways you have not imagined. Apart from the regular benefits like enriching your language, books are companions for life because they emote like friends. A book is a partner for a rainy day, a sunny day, any day.
Exercise: A morning run isn’t going to hurt. You might miss out on a few dreams, but there is nothing more beautiful than the morning sun. And of course, sometimes reality is better than a dream. Wake up and bask in the morning sun.
Nip procrastination: There is nothing more dangerous than procrastination. In the act of constantly delaying things, we lose out on life. Procrastination adds to our struggle. New year is a good time to take charge of our lives.
Adopt a pet: How does it feel to get back home after a long day to four-legged furry creatures. That joy is unexplainable. The unadulterated love of a pet is worth all the hard work and relentless days. If adopting a pet is not feasible, feed a hungry stray. They will forever be grateful to you.
A day away from your gizmos: Despite all the good technology has done for us, it is sometimes okay to cut it out of our day. Switch off phones, shut down laptops and just relax.
Travel: Somebody wise said, “Sometimes it is not about the destination, but about the journey itself.” Travelling teaches you like no schools and teachers can. It helps you understand yourself and the world, with a perspective you didn’t know you had.
Most of all, this new year spend time with your parents–they won’t be with us forever. Smile more, laugh and allow yourself to love and be loved. Lead by example, practice before preaching. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Prathap Reddy Anuguru
September 7, 2018 at 11:13 amThis is a beautiful story.
Soulveda
September 7, 2018 at 2:22 pmThank you for your kind words, Prathap.